28 Jan 2016

Residents of Sekoma in the Jwaneng/Mabutsane constituency are not happy with the salty water in their village.

They expressed their concerns during a kgotla meeting that President Lt Gen. Seretse Khama Ian Khama addressed in Sekoma yesterday (January 28).

Kgosi Moscow Tefiso pleaded with relevant authorities to address the solution. A member of the Village Development Committee, Ms Tlotlololo Mokari, said they were not satisfied with the Water Utilities Corporation (WUC). 

She said prior to the takeover of the water supply service by the WUC, the council performed the function diligently. She said the council always consulted them on issues pertaining to water supply.

On other issues, residents applauded the President for coming up with programmes intended to uplift the livelihoods of Batswana.  One of the residents, Mr Patrick Segwape said the initiatives continued to cushion Batswana against abject poverty.

He added that if it was not for poor market conditions, the programmes could be more successful. Another resident, Ms Tiroyamodimo Ramosesane said  even though they were keen to take up government programmes, they faced several challeges such as stock theft.

Therefore, she pleaded with the government to re-assess victims of stock theft because they were now left in the lurch. In his response, President Khama said he would consult with the police commissioner so that in case of vehicle shortage in Mabutsane, they should find another way of providing one to Sekoma. 

He said authorities would assess how they could help stock theft victims.

Meanwhile, the President issued chairs, bibles, blankets, football kits and balls to the village.  For his part, the Minister of Minerals, Energy and Water Resources, Mr Kitso Mokaila, said he was aware that water supplied to Sekoma was salty. 

He, however, noted that his ministry was in the process of grouping the villages of Sekoma, Khonkhwa, Keng and Mahotswane into a cluster and use the six boreholes in the area to supply them with water.

Mr Mokaila also cautioned residents against vandalism of water pipes, saying some people tended to break pipes to water their livestock. 

Senior Assistant Commissioner Oreeditse Mautle of Botswana Police Service said even though they acknowledged that cases of stock theft had been recorded in Sekoma, the village was strategically positioned between Mabutsane and Khakhea where police vehicles were available. 

He, however, said they would carefully consider providing a vehicle to Sekoma. Ends